Amy B. Smith, Estate Planning Attorney in New Haven, Connecticut

Amy B. Smith practices in the areas of trusts and estates, probate, and real estate law. She works with clients to develop effective estate plans, often incorporating succession planning for closely held entities to effectively coordinate business and estate plans. Amy offers both traditional and more complex will and trust planning, understanding that estate planning is unfamiliar territory for many. Offering strategic advice to families with special needs beneficiaries, Amy guides them as they address legal issues made more complex by uncertainty and worry for the future of their loved ones. Amy is an Attorney Professional Member of PLAN of Connecticut, the only organization in Connecticut authorized to administer a special needs pooled trust.Amy empathetically represents fiduciaries in the administration of trusts and decedent estates, and individuals in contested probate matters such as will contests and parental rights matters. She understands that her clients are often navigating a new and intimidating legal system during an emotional and vulnerable time in their lives. Her work includes probate and elder law, guardianships, and conservatorships. For families with special needs children transitioning to adulthood, she has helped secure appropriate legal interventions in the Probate Courts that encourage disabled young adults to live as independently as possible.Amy represents individuals, legal entities, and lenders in both residential and commercial real estate transactions. Numerous commercial real estate owners have successfully relied on Amy’s advice in purchase and sale transactions, lease drafting, dispute resolution, collections, and evictions. She has advised common interest communities in the interpretation and amendment of bylaws, and has represented associations in collection and foreclosure matters. Additionally, she has represented developers of common interest communities in closing many first unit transfers from contract drafting to closing.Amy earned her B.S. from Bryant College and her J.D. from New England School of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude and served as Production Managing Editor of the New England Law Review. She was awarded the New England Scholar Award, the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction Award (CALI) in conflict of laws, the Woman Achiever Award, and the West Group Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award.A proud and engaged resident of Southbury, Connecticut, Amy has served on the town’s Economic Development Commission and Southbury Business Association. She is a current member and past president of the Southbury Women’s Club and serves as Trustee of the South Britain Congregational Church.Amy is admitted to practice in the Connecticut state and federal courts and is a member of the Connecticut, Waterbury, and New Haven Bar Associations.When not practicing law, Amy enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and hiking with her two dogs.